[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2023 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Keyontae Johnson
Frame: 6′ 6″, 230 lbs
Position: Forward
Team: Kansas State
2023 draft age: 23
Stats via:  Sports-Reference, Barttorvik, NBA.com, Insider, ESPN

Offense 

Johnson’s ability to overcome a serious medical condition was a masterclass in hard work and resilience. He averaged a career-high in points and minutes this season, helping him lead his squad to an Elite Eight appearance. 

Capable of spreading the floor (40.5 percent from three-point range) with the strength to post up defenders down low, Johnson possesses a unique size and skill set at the forward position. His three-point percentage ranked 19th of 168 Division I stretch-four players, and he led this group in made two-point field goals (189). Moreover, Johnson was the only wing forward in college basketball to make at least 150 two-point field goals and shoot above 40 percent from the perimeter (excluding Providence forward Ed Croswell, who was one for two). 

Johnson’s tweener size will have him play the combo forward/wing position in the NBA. With an ability to create offensive mismatches with his outside shooting and speed, Johnson can lead fast breaks off the defensive rebound, push the tempo, and run well in transition. 

Decent ball-handling and play-making skills will allow Johnson to play more on the perimeter and use his downhill speed to drive past bigger forwards. He had an assist percentage of 13.5, ranked 14th of 79 Division I high-major wing forwards who played at least 40 percent of their teams’ minutes—showcasing a commitment to become a willing passer, find open teammates, and become a secondary playmaker for his offense. 

Still, Johnson must improve his tendency to turn the ball over, averaging 2.9 turnovers per game. He can be too loose with the ball and force the issue, as his turnover percentage of 19.9 ranked 70th of the previously mentioned players. While his offensive and positional versatility are enticing aspects of his game, forwards and guards will seek to disrupt Johnson’s rhythm, poking at the ball, speeding up his drives, and jumping passing lanes. 

Defense 

A big, bodied, versatile wing-forward, Johnson should be able to guard multiple positions at the next level. He possesses the strength to hold his own in the post against taller forwards looking to back him down, but he can also use his speed to defend along the perimeter. Still, Johnson is known more for his offense, and his defensive awareness, positioning, and intensity must improve. 

With more straight-line-drive, rim-running speed, Johnson may lack the lateral quickness to defend effectively against quicker forwards and wings. His large frame may cause issues for offensive players to drive past, but his footwork and positioning need polishing. 

Johnson’s defensive instincts need tweaking; he averaged just 0.2 blocks per game, on par with more guards than forwards, and his one steal per game, translates to a steal percentage of just 1.7 percent, third worst on the team and average for high-major Division I wing-forwards. 

A good defensive rebounder, Johnson can quickly push the ball transition and use his speed for fast-break opportunities. His defensive rebounding percentage of 17.8 was second on the team and ranked 18th of 79 high-major Division I wings. 

Only 28 NBA players are listed as heavier than 225 lbs and shorter than 6’7″; many are above-average defenders. These names include Grant Williams, Draymond Green, Malcolm Brogdon, and Jae Crowder. Johnson has the size at his wing position to become an effective, versatile defender; provided his defensive intensity matches his offense, Johnson’s defense may enable him to become the coveted three-and-D wing, many NBA teams desire. 

Looking Ahead

Johnson can stretch the floor, rim-rum, and score from all three levels, but the most enticing aspect of his game is his resilience, hard work, and dedication. 

In December 2020, Johnson collapsed on the court; he suffered from a severe heart condition and remained in a medically induced coma for 72 hours. 

The NCAA offered Johnson a $5 million insurance payout due to his rare and potentially fatal condition. Instead, Johnson turned down the money (pre-NIL deals), bet on himself, overcame his devastating situation, and helped lead his Wildcats to the Elite Eight.

Johnson’s perseverance and love for basketball are unmatched; turning down a life-altering sum of money to continue his college career and pursue his NBA dreams separates him from the rest of the pack. Unfortunately, the reality is that when some players enter the NBA (or other professional sports), love and passion for the game can dwindle, the money becomes increasingly more significant, and players can lose their drive to win and improve. Johnson could have taken his millions and pursued other goals, but he has forged the opportunity to make the NBA and continue this dream. 

Anticipate a bench role early in Johnson’s career, his shooting and scoring from all three levels will remain his calling card, and as he commits to revamp his defense, a starting wing position is not of the question in year two. 

Johnson has an NBA-ready body, can immediately impact the game off the bench, and his offensive versatility will allow him to be inserted in multiple lineups and rotation sets. As one of the older players in this draft class, he may struggle to adjust initially. However, just as Johnson re-emerged in college basketball as a top prospect, he’ll show that passion and work ethic to learn the nuances of the NBA game, provide floor spacing, and become a valuable off-ball playmaker and scorer. As he aims to improve his defense, Johnson may emerge as one of this draft’s best 3-and-D wings as a late first-round selection.